A. The department shall design and implement a statewide reading initiative to improve reading proficiency in the state. The design of the reading initiative shall be based upon quality, scientifically based reading research that has been shown to improve reading proficiency and shall include the following:

(1) consistent assessment and evaluation of student reading levels;

(2) appropriate professional staff development to assist licensed school employees in the instruction of reading;

(3) extra time in the student's day or year for implementation of reading programs;

(4) rewards provided to teachers and other applicable licensed school employees in public schools that improve student reading proficiency; and

(5) criteria for public schools to establish an individualized reading plan for students who fail to meet grade level reading proficiency standards.

B. The department shall use national experts to work with the department to develop an immediate reading initiative and a long-term plan for sustained reading improvement.

C. The department shall involve school district personnel, especially licensed elementary reading specialists, parents and other interested persons in the design of the reading initiative.

History: Laws 2000 (2nd S.S.), ch. 14, § 1; 2001, ch. 289, § 1; 1978 Comp., § 22-2-6.11, recompiled and amended as § 22-13-1.3 by Laws 2003, ch. 153, § 60.

Recompilations. — Laws 2003, ch. 153, § 60 recompiled and amended former 22-2-6.11 NMSA 1978 as 22-13-1.3 NMSA 1978, effective April 4, 2003.

Cross references. — For the public education department, see 9-24-4 NMSA 1978.

The 2003 amendment, effective April 4, 2003, deleted "of education" following "the department" throughout the section; substituted "scientifically based reading research that has been" for "research based reading programs" following "based upon quality," near the middle of Subsection A; substituted "licensed school employees" for "classroom certified instructional staff" following "staff development" near the beginning of Subsection A(2); substituted "teachers and other applicable licensed school employees" for "certified school instructors" following "provided to" near the beginning of Subsection A(4); and substituted "licensed" for "certified" following "especially" near the middle of Subsection C.

The 2001 amendment, effective June 15, 2001, substituted "The department of education" for "The state department of public education" in Subsections A, B and C; added Paragraph A(5); and deleted "local" preceding "school district personnel" in Subsection C.